Contact: Alan Edwards, (01962) 847158, [email protected];

Annette Rebentisch, (01962) 847150, [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That a one-off grant of £10,000 to Southampton Centre for Independent Living for services provided in the County of Hampshire be made.

2 Reason

2.1 To make contributions towards the costs of services provided by the voluntary and community organisation which are compatible with the objectives, priorities and policies of the Social Services Department.

2.2 Support to voluntary organisations accords with Aim 1 (Maximising Life Opportunities), Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) by its partnership approach, and Aim 5 (Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy.

2.3 The application in this report has been managed in accordance with the aims of the One Compact for Hampshire.

3 Other options considered and rejected

None

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision-maker or a Member or other Executive member consulted

None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

None

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

Not applicable

Approved by: Date of decision:

Councillor Felicity Hindson

Presenter: Alan Edwards, (01962) 847158, [email protected]

Contact: Annette Rebentisch, (01962) 847150, [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 This report seeks the approval of a one-off grant of £10,000 for 2004-05 to Southampton Centre for Independent Living for services provided in the County of Hampshire.

1.2 Support to voluntary organisations accords with Aim 1 (Maximising Life Opportunities), Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) by its partnership approach, and Aim 5 (Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy.

2 Background

2.1 Grants to voluntary and community organisations for 2004-05 of £5,000 and more amounting to £535,521 have previously been approved against a previous budget of £1.09 million.

2.2 This report seeks the approval of a one-off grant of £10,000, for which there is financial provision from a current under-commitment in the grants budget for people with Physical Disability.

2.3 In dealing with the application regard has been given to the One Compact for Hampshire and the Codes of Good Practice.

3 Impact Assessment

3.1 In compiling this report, regard has been taken of the requirements of the Corporate Equalities Plan and Race Scheme. The One Compact for Hampshire has social inclusion as one of its principles and states that all partners are committed to the importance of promoting equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of race, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation and belief. Additionally, the organisation had previously submitted its Equal Opportunity policy.

4 Southampton Centre for Independent Living (SCIL)

4.1 The Southampton Centre for Independent Living campaigns for full civil rights for disabled people and supports and encourages disabled people to live independently. It empowers disabled people to exercise choice and control over their own lives and have a say over what happens to them.

4.2 SCIL currently provide Consumer Audit and Direct Payments Support Worker Services for the Department, which are covered by separate contracts. A report, agreed by DMT in December, has made increasing the uptake of direct payments a priority for the department. One of the recommendations from this report is to develop an awareness raising strategy which will reach users, potential users and their families and carers. At the end of March, SCIL will be moving to new, more accessible premises, and as part of their move are planning a publicity campaign to promote the philosophy of the organisation and independent living across Hampshire. Although the number of direct payment users has increased dramatically in recent years, only a small proportion of service users are aware of and taking up independent living options. The organisation's own research has shown that many people are not aware of alternatives to traditional service provision but that once they become informed, they are very enthusiastic of the alternative options available and they make a real difference to their lives. SCIL believes that a proactive effort to promotion and awareness raising will have a positive impact and empower service users, their families and carers. This grant would enable SCIL to promote the philosophy of independent living across Hampshire.

4.3 A grant of £10,000 will pay for promotional material, the necessary software to design such material, and staff time. SCIL will actively target all sections of the community of disabled people to ensure that hard to reach groups benefit, too. It is estimated that per year 200 - 300 people living in the County of Hampshire will benefit from this project.

4.4 The project will be set up and monitored by SCIL's management committee, which consists of nine members elected by the disabled members of SCIL. Operational management will be delegated to a co-ordinator who supervises staff and volunteers. The promotional material and awareness raising activities will be developed by disabled people. Results from already available research as well as feedback will be used to improve the service.

4.5 SCIL have a history of developing and promoting independent living in Hampshire. Over the past 10 years, their Direct Payments Support Service have worked alongside the department to increase the number of direct payment users from 250 to 750. At this time, a key departmental priority is to increase the take up of direct payments and promote independent living in Hampshire throughout all service user groups. SCIL have the experience and skills to promote choice, control and independence and raise awareness on independent living issues amongst users, potential users, families, carers and the wider public across Hampshire. It is therefore recommended that a grant of £10,000 be approved.

5 Recommendations

That a grant of £10,000 to the Southampton Centre for Independent Living be approved.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

Application for a grant in 2004-05 submitted by the voluntary organisation

NB. The list excludes:

1. Published works

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act